Elizabethtown College Campus Security is always readily available to help students on campus. However, many students still do not take advantage of their full line of services. Most recently, the College hired Leo Sokoloski as the new director of Campus Security, who is working to institute new changes to the department.
With the arrival of the school year, new policy changes have been implemented by Campus Security. Sokoloski stated, “Campus Security is transforming into a more approachable, community-minded, user-friendly agency, utilizing Community Policing efforts to get to know students, faculty and staff across all areas of campus. We want to build partnerships and embrace positive relationships, empowering students and student groups to reach out to Campus Security with problems, concerns and issues. Through these positive relationships, we can prevent and deter crime and the fears of crime on our campus, making the Elizabethtown College campus one of the safest campuses of our size.”
Although not available at this time, Sokoloski and Campus Security are currently working on many projects to enhance the safety of college students in the near future. Some of these projects include door-access controls to campus buildings, residence halls, academic buildings and administrative buildings and video-surveillance enhancement at some entrance and exit points to buildings. Campus Security is also striving toward having an increased presence in residence halls and more crime prevention and education-based programs tailored to addressing student needs and requests. Sokoloski further stressed, “As the Director of Campus Security, my goals are directed at protecting people, students and their property, and overall making the experience here at Elizabethtown a safe and memorable experience across the time they are here. Campus security will embrace new technology in areas of analyzing crime and the elements of crime and address the issues surrounding public safety to prevent and deter problems before they occur.”
Campus Security recently purchased several vehicles including three new Ford Escapes and one older model which serves as the Locksmith car and work vehicle. Campus Security designates one car out of the group of cars to be a primary transport vehicle for train station and airport runs, and student transports to Penn State Medical Associates off of Chestnut Street.
Although Sokoloski is new to the Elizabethtown community, he is most especially looking forward to “meeting with students, student groups and organizations in an effort to build a stronger rapport between students and Campus Security.” He believes that the campus-at-large is a safe place to live, learn, work and play. “You can enhance your safety and the safety of others by recognizing and taking some minor steps to prevent something bad from happening to you. Campus Safety is everyone’s business.”
Assistant Director of Campus Security and teacher for the RAD women’s self-defense program, Dale Boyer, wants the Elizabethtown College campus community to know that “contrary to popular belief, there is no magic bubble around Etown College. We have the same problems here as anywhere else, but perhaps not to the same degree that you see at campuses such as Penn State, Temple, Pitt, or UCLA. 99 percent of the time, if you use common sense and take common-sense precautions, you will avoid problems.” Boyer further stressed, “Do not leave stuff lying around, especially in hallways or lounges while in class. If walking after dark, or walking from the Brown Lot after parking the car, try to have a friend come along or make use of the Campus Security escort program. Be aware of what’s going on around you. Make certain not to be solely focused on [your] phone and oblivious to your surroundings.”
Sokoloski strongly wants to remind students to “be proactive: don’t be a victim; lock your dorm room; take a picture of your valuables, your bicycle and laptop; record the serial numbers; call Campus Security whenever necessary — use the escort services, be smart and report any suspicious activity to campus security.” Additionally, Boyer added as an important reminder, “The Emergency phone number is (717) 361-1111. Believe it or not, Campus Security is here to help make your time here at Etown safer and a positive experience. Take a little time to get to know our officers. You may need one of us someday.”
